MIC president G. Palanivel who was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department took his oath of office
before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara today.
Palanivel also signed the oath of secrecy before Chief Justice Zaki Azmi witnessed by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan.
Also present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang and several Cabinet members.
Among Cabinet members present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz, Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.
Palanivel was Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (2004-2010) before appointed Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities (from June 4, 2010) in a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.
He was Hulu Selangor member of parliament (1990-2004) but lost to Zainal Abidin Ahmad of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) with a majority of 198 votes in 2008 general election.
Palanivel, 62, was appointed MIC president to replace S. Samy Vellu on Dec 6, 2010.
– Bernama